MADE FOR CONNECTION

BACKGROUND

The relocation of Ausgrid’s Newcastle team to a revitalised workplace within the city’s business district was a powerful move to reflect the brand’s evolution, while fostering deeper employee connection and community engagement. Designed by Studio P3 and delivered by SHAPE Australia, this nextgeneration workplace prioritises flexibility, wellbeing and a strong sense of place—balancing collaborative energy with quiet, reflective zones. At its core, the project aimed to support Ausgrid in evolving into a dynamic environment that fosters meaningful collaboration and greater human connection. 

This relocation offered a unique opportunity to reimagine the concept of a regional head office—breaking free from the constraints and embracing the local coastal aesthetic and Newcastle’s rich industrial heritage whilst recognising the essential role Ausgrid plays in powering communities. 
 
“This project provided a meaningful expression of Ausgrid’s sustainability commitment within the built environment. The laminated timber structure offered a warm, textural base for our finishes and supported Ausgrid’s vision while achieving a 6 Star Green Star rating. Interface’s modular carpet tiles and LVT collection were the perfect foundation to bring this vision to life.” 
Pablo Albani, Director, Studio P3

CHALLENGE  

The brief demanded flooring solutions that could perform under pressure—accommodating high foot traffic, supporting acoustics, and aligning with Ausgrid’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Just as importantly, the design needed to mirror the brand’s people-first culture and showcase a strong connection to the local environment

SOLUTION  

Interface’s modular carpet tiles and LVT collections offered the ideal foundation to bring this vision to life. Carefully selected finishes provided both visual interest and spatial definition, supporting the evolving needs of a modern hybrid workplace.

CARPET TILES: Composure in Terracotta & Navy offers tonal warmth and grounding hues, while Escarpment in Desert Sands echoes the rugged natural beauty of the nearby landscape. Together, they add depth, comfort and a gentle rhythm throughout the open-plan zones and collaborative areas. 

LVT: Level Set in Textured Stones and Polished Cement delivers a clean, contemporary aesthetic for circulation zones and communal touchpoints, combining the practicality of hard flooring with a refined material story. This seamless blend of carpet and LVT helps define zones without the need for partitions, contributing to an intuitive flow and enhancing user experience. Interface’s commitment to sustainability, through carbon-neutral flooring and circular design—further supported the project’s environmental aspirations.

WHY INTERFACE  

Design Flexibility: A wide range of textures and tones to support the layered design intent.

Performance & Comfort: Durable, acoustic-friendly flooring ideal for high-traffic environments.

Sustainability: All Interface products used are carbon neutral across their full lifecycle.

Connection to Place: Earthy, mineral-inspired tones reflect the unique character of Newcastle’s built and natural environment. 
 
“The floorplate was key in creating an environment that could flex with the needs of the team while reflecting the integrity of Ausgrid’s brand. Interface gave us the versatility and palette we needed—without compromise on performance or sustainability.” 
SHAPE Team, Australia

PROJECT DETAILS

Location: Newcastle, NSW Australia (Awabakal Country)

Designer and Specifier: Studio P3

Client: Ausgrid

Size: 1900m²

Photographer: Luc Remond

Products:

Carpet Tile – Composure (Terracotta & Navy), Escarpment (Desert Sands)

LVT – Level Set (Textured Stones, Polished Cement)